Fish dip net



E. E. WALLlN FISH DIP NET Feb. 19, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 3, 1961 Ewe/l E. Wall/n IINVENTOR.

Feb. 19, 1963 E. ii. WALLIN 3,

FISH DIP NET Filed July 3, 1961 2 Sheets-81168152 United States Patent F 3,077,693 FISH DIP NET Ewell E. Walliu, 2064 Columbia, Springfield, M0. Filed July 3, 1961, Ser. No. 121,555 3 Claims. (Cl. IS-11) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dip nets for use particularly by night fishermen and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a net of this character comprising illumina'tingmeans and which, furthermore, is self-contained.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an improved dip net of the aforementioned character wherein the illuminating means is waterproof and adapted to function while submerged.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a dip net of the character described wherein the illuminating means may be readily removed or detached and used independently as a flashlight.

Otherobjects of the invention are to provide a fish dip net of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved dip net constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a somewhat enlarged perspective view of the illuminating means;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the flashlight head and the reflector, showing the members separated;

FIGURE 4 is a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated flashlight which is designated generally by reference numeral 7. The flashlight 7 includes a tubular case, body or barrel 8 of suitable metal having threaded on its inner or rear end portion a removable cap 9. The flashlight 7 further includes a head assembly 10 removably mounted on the forward end portion of the body or barrel 8.

As shown to advantage in FIGURE 4 of the drawing, the head assembly 10 includes a generally bowl-shaped housing 11 comprising an internally threaded neck 12 into which the forward end portion of the barrel 8 is screwed. Mounted in the housing 11 is a reflector 13 comprising a neck portion 14 which, in the embodiment illustrated, projects into the forward end portion of the barrel 8 in spaced, concentric relation thereto. Interposed between the housing 11 and the reflector 13 is a sealing liner or gasket 15 of rubber or other suitable material. The sealing liner or gasket 15 includes an inturned flange 16 on its forward end which abuts the open forward end of the reflector 13. A glass lens 17 is mounted on the forward end of the housing 11. A flanged retaining ring 18 is threaded on the forward end portion of the housing 11 for securing the lens in position. A sealing ring or gasket 19 is provided between the inturned flange 20 of the ring 18 and the marginal portion of the lens 17. It will be noted that the flange 16 of the liner 15 is engaged 3,077,693 Patented Feb. 19, 1963- between the lens 17 and the forward end of the reflector 13.

- Mounted in the portion 14 of the reflector 13in a socket 21 of suitable insulating material. The socket 21 is for the reception of the base 22 of an electric lamp 23. Encircling the neck 14 of the reflector 13 is a ground ring 24. Of course, the lamp base 22 electrically engages the reflector 13 or the neck portion 14 thereof. The usual center contact 25 of the lamp base 22 is engaged with the contact 26 in the inner wall or bottom of the socket 21.

Mounted longitudinally in the case or barrel 8 of the flashlight 7 is a cylindrical body or rod 27 of maple or,

other suitable wood. Extending through the body 27 is a conductor wire 28 having one end electrically connected to the ring 24. The other end of the conductor wire 28 is electrically connected to a contact 29 on the inner or rear end of the body 27. On the forward end of the;

body 27 is a contact 30vwhich is electrically connected to the contact 26 by a conductor wire 31. A slidable thumb switch 32 on the case or barrel 8 is engageable with the contact 30 for electrically connecting same to said barrel.

Mounted in the barrel 8 rearwardly of the cylindrical body or rod 27 is a plurality of batteries 33. A coil spring 34 in the rear end portion of the barrel 8 yieldingly urges the batteries 33 forwardly to be electrically connected to the contact 29. A sealing ring or gasket 35 is provided between the cap 9 and the rear end of the barrel 8.

Extending radially from the lower portion of the housing 11 is a pair of downwardly divergent, longitudinal ribs or fins 36 having formed integrally therewith a pair of longitudinal tubes or sleeves 37. The sleeves 37 slidably receive the parallel end portions 38 of a split, tubular ring, frame or loop 39 for removably mounting same on the forward end of the flashlight 7 to be illuminated thereby. The split ring 39 is threaded through the mouth portion of a net 40. Caps or plugs 41 close the ends of the tubular split ring 39.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the flashlight 7 functions as a handle for the net in an obvious manner. Of course, the flashlight 7 may be of any desired length. When light is desired the switch 32 may be readily closed with the thumb of the hand which grips the barrel 8. A sealing gasket or ring 42 is provided between the forward end of the barrel 8 and the head 11. The several sealing elements or gaskets 15, 42, etc., render the flashlight 7 waterproof, permitting same to function while submerged in addition to protecting the parts thereof from damage from water or moisture. The construction also is such that the complete device will float horizontally in water. By simply slipping the end portions 38 of the net ring 39 out of the sleeves 37 the flashlight 7 may be conveniently used independently for various purposes. The elements 36 and 37 are adapted to function as downwardly divergent legs for supporting the forward end of the flashlight and preventing said flashlight from rolling. When the device is not in use the net may also be removed from the flashlight for compactness when storing.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readly occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A fish dip net comprising, in combination, a cylindrical horizontal flashlight including a tubular case and a removable, forwardly directed head assembly threadedly mounted on one end, spaced parallel sleeves mounted 1ongitudinally on the lower portion of the head assembly in spaced relation thereto and engageable with a supporting surface for retaining the flashlight against rolling thereon, a split, resilient, tubular removable ring including spaced, parallel end portions slidably inserted in the sleeves for tensioning said ring and frictionally securing same on the head assembly, closure caps on the ends of the ring, and a net mounted on the ring.

2. A fish dip net comprising, in combination, a generally cylindrical flashlight for mounting horizontally on a horizontal support, legs comprising downwardly divergent longitudinal fins on the lower portion of the flashlight adjacent the forward end thereof, spaced sleeves on the fins paralleling the flashlight and adapted to rest on the supporting surface for preventing the flashlight from rolling thereon, a split, resilient, tubular tensioned ring including parallel end portions engaged in the sleeves for frictionally securing said ring on the flashlight to be illuminated thereby, caps closing the ends of the ring, and a net on said ring.

3. A fish dip net comprising, in combination, a flashlight head of circular cross-section including an internally threaded neck on one end adapted to be screwed on a cylindrical flashlight body, supporting legs including longitudinal fins radiating from the head and spaced, parallel sleeves on the free longitudinal edges of said fins, a split, resilient, tubular and tensioned metallic ring including spaced, parallel end portions frictionally engaged in the sleeves for removably mounting said ring on the head, closure plugs in the ends of the ring, and a net mounted on said ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 273,279 Hosea Mar, 6, 1883 1,545,279 Ross July 7, 1925 1,776,182 Cook Sept. 16, 1930 1,901,253 Meginniss Mar. 14, 1933 2,006,175 Osborn June 25, 1935 2,237,536 Wells Apr. 8, 1941 2,309,402 Korngold Jan. 26, 1943 2,420,087 Meek May 6, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 406,097 Great Britain Feb. 22, 1934 

1. A FISH DIP NET COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A CYLINDRICAL HORIZONTAL FLASHLIGHT INCLUDING A TUBULAR CASE AND A REMOVABLE, FORWARDLY DIRECTED HEAD ASSEMBLY THREADEDLY MOUNTED ON ONE END, SPACED PARALLEL SLEEVES MOUNTED LONGITUDINALLY ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE HEAD ASSEMBLY IN SPACED RELATION THERETO AND ENGAGEABLE WITH A SUPPORTING SURFACE FOR RETAINING THE FLASHLIGHT AGAINST ROLLING THEREON, A SPLIT, RESILIENT, TUBULAR REMOVABLE RING INCLUDING SPACED, PARALLEL END PORTIONS SLIDABLY INSERTED IN THE SLEEVES FOR TENSIONING SAID RING AND FRICTIONALLY SECURING SAME ON THE HEAD ASSEMBLY, CLOSURE CAPS ON THE ENDS OF THE RING, AND A NET MOUNTED ON THE RING. 